Dockers ready for top four play-off

25 Aug 2014, 2 p.m.

FREMANTLE coach Ross Lyon says he’s thrilled by the prospect of playing off for a place in the AFL top four against Port Adelaide next week, after his Dockers cruised to victory against Brisbane yesterday.

FREMANTLE coach Ross Lyon says he’s thrilled by the prospect of playing off for a place in the AFL top four against Port Adelaide next week, after his Dockers cruised to victory against Brisbane yesterday.

Matt Taberner of the Dockers handballs during his team's round 22 AFL match against the Brisbane Lions at The Gabba. Picture: Getty Images.

The Dockers ran out 15.16 (106) to 6.12 (48) victors over the Lions in front of a 17,473 crowd.

Fremantle now need to avoid defeat at Patersons Stadium next Saturday to cement fourth position.

‘‘The reality is it’s sudden death for the top four next week,’’ Lyon said.

‘‘We’re really thrilled with that. We’re excited by the challenge. We accept the challenge as Port do.

‘‘It will generate a lot of interest at our home ground.

‘‘They’re going to ask some questions of us and we’re going to ask some serious questions of them.’’

That the Dockers won so comfortably after taking the longest trip in the AFL and without three of their most important players in Nat Fyfe (suspended), Michael Barlow (broken thumb) and skipper Matthew Pavlich (late withdrawal with a quad injury) illustrated the difference between a top-four side and the 15th in the ladder.